Significant funding announcement from the Welsh Government will boost two important cultural hubs in Gwynedd -the Lloyd George Museum in Llanystumdwy and Caernarfon Library.
The two Gwynedd attractions are among 31 projects across Wales to receive a share of funding aimed at improving access to culture, protecting collections and modernising facilities for local communities.
The Lloyd George Museum will receive more than £150,000 to help preserve Highgate, the childhood home of former UK Prime Minister David Lloyd George, along with its collections. The investment will also enhance the visitor experience, with plans to reopen Highgate Cottage as a fully accessible part of the attraction in spring 2027.
Meanwhile, Caernarfon Library has secured £500,000 for an ambitious modernisation programme designed to meet the needs of the community now and in the future. Planned improvements include a new glass-fronted entrance foyer, upgraded accessibility features, expanded self-service facilities, a dedicated area for children and young people, and a new community hub with computers, meeting spaces and an accessible kitchen.
The project will also deliver environmental improvements to the building, helping to reduce carbon emissions and lower operating costs.
Councillor Medwyn Hughes, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, welcomed the investment, describing the plans as exciting and saying the funding would help ensure culture and history remain accessible to local residents and visitors for years to come.
He said:
“I very much welcome this cultural investment by the Welsh Government into both locations. The plans are exciting, and this funding will undoubtedly ensure that culture and history are within the grasp of locals and visitors for years to come.
“I look forward to seeing the improvements completed.”
Welsh Government Minister for Culture and Sport, Heledd Fychan, added that the funding would help safeguard the Lloyd George Museum for future generations while transforming Caernarfon Library into a modern, accessible community space.
She said: “This investment is to be welcomed. The Lloyd George Museum tells the story of one of Wales’s significant figures in British political history, and this funding will help safeguard this asset for future generations.
"Meanwhile, the transformation of Caernarfon Library will create a modern, accessible space at the heart of the community, ranging from a welcoming new entrance to dedicated areas for children and young people.
"Continued investment in our museums and libraries is essential to create vibrant spaces that serve people today and for years to come.”